King County was tops for wage growth in both percentage and absolute-dollar terms.

Of the 10 largest U.S. counties, based on employment, six recorded wage declines for the quarter, reflecting a lackluster jobs recovery.

Locally, Pierce County posted a 2.7 percent increase in weekly wages to $864, while Snohomish County saw wages rise 1.7 percent to $1,085.

Even Seattle’s wage growth, which was not adjusted for inflation, fell short of a 1.8 percent increase in the region’s Consumer Price Index for February.

Los Angeles County saw its average weekly wages decline 1.8 percent to $1,061, while San Diego County was close behind, with a decrease of 1.7 percent to $1,056.

Other large counties with lower wages were Chicago’s Cook County, down 1.0 percent to $1,185; Orange County, Calif., down 0.5 percent to $1,086; and Houston’s Harris County, down 0.4 percent to $1,333.

Phoenix’s Maricopa County posted no change, with average weekly wages of $945.

Among the five largest job sectors in King, County professional and business services had the most growth in average weekly wages, up 2.7 percent to $1,586. It was followed by trade, transportation and utilities, up 2.5 percent to $1,109, and government, up 2.1 percent to $1,162.

The local education and health-services sector saw its wages rise 1.9 percent to $890, while leisure and hospitality posted an increase of 1.8 percent to $453.

For the nation as a whole, average weekly wages grew 0.6 percent in the first quarter to $989.